Pepsi knocks off Cars Plus in 33-0 win

Mar. 29, 2015
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Written by

Raul R. Zubia

For Pacific Sunday News

In the Miller Football League semifinals, the Pepsi Warriors advanced to their third straight championship game after knocking off the Cars Plus Rams 33-0 yesterday at Eagle Field.

Pepsi started the game with tough runs by Hosea Ware. On the fifth play of the drive, Danny Manibusan threw on a slant to Alex Azcarraga, who took the ball for a 51-yard touchdown. Terry Perkins kicked the point after.

Later in the second quarter, the Warriors handed the ball to RJ Bryand for a 19-yard run, and Manibusan threw a fade to Vince Espinal for 27 yards. Manibusan called his own number to punch into the end zone. Perkins again kicked the extra point to make it 14-0.

Pepsi's Manny Cruz and Dontana Keraskes shot into the backfield to force fourth down. Manibusan again went to the air, but his pass fell short and was almost picked off. The Warriors attempted to run, but Cars Plus made a stop to force a turnover on downs.

The Rams moved downfield as quarterback Leeray Zapatos hit Terrance Villaverde for a first down. However, Cars Plus was then unable to move the chains and elected to punt.

As Pepsi handed off the ball for a run, a herd of Rams attacked the backfield and stopped the play for a loss. Manibusan completed a pass on the next play, but the ball was fumbled on a hit by Cars Plus' Luis Rivera. Soon after, Jericho Abisia took the ball 30 yards to the end zone, but jumped before the snap and the play was called back on a penalty. The Warriors soon forced a turnover on downs.

The game went into halftime at 14-0.

Pepsi continued to control the game with a fumble recovery early in the second half. After moving the chains with runs by Ware, Manibusan connected with Espinal for a 20-yard touchdown. Perkins kicked the extra point.

On the ensuing drive, Casey Cruz came up with an interception and returned 31 yards to the Rams' 19-yard line. Ware then hammered the ball to the 11-yard line. On the next play, Manibusan threw a screen to Azcarraga, who ran through defenders to score as Pepsi extended its lead to 27-0.

Later in the game, Manibusan hit Valiant Borja for a 27-yard gain. Soon after, Manibusan threw to Borja, who ran in for a 10-yard score.

With two minutes left on the clock, the Rams went to the air, but Casey Cruz made his second pick of the game. Pepsi's John Borja then ran 48 yards before Damont Wikey tackled him on the 2-yard line. On the next play, however, the ball was fumbled and Cars Plus recovered.

The Pepsi defense held up, though, and the Warriors preserved the shutout.